JOSÉ IGNACIO rodríguez 295 



the constitution of Brazil in Engüsh and Portuguese. Each of 

 these dücuments is accompanied by a chapter of historical uotes 

 written by the oracle of the burean, that Ifarned scholar, Dr. José 

 Ignacio Rodríguez. These notes are of uuusual valué to diploma- 

 tists and students, as they give a history of each constitutiou, the 

 circumstances under which it wasadopted, thereasons and motives 

 involved aud such changes as have been made necessary by the 

 course of events. A second vohime devoted to the constitutions of 

 the other American republics, treated ia the same raaner, ¡s now 

 in pressand soon will be issued. Copies of these works should be 

 on the shelves of every public library in the United States, and ib 

 is to be hoped that the burean has published an edition large enough 

 to supply them. 



The object of the burean of American republics is to edúcate 

 the American people concerning onr nearest neighbors. When the 

 delegates to the fiíst international conference made their historie 

 tour through the United States, visiting all of the principal cities 

 east of the Mississippi river, they were amazed at the wealth aud 

 the maguitude of onr countiy. But what impressed them even 

 more was the ignorance of our people concerning their countries 

 and the questions that were asked them were often very embarrass- 

 ing. I remember that Judge Alfonso, one of the justices of the 

 supreme court of Chile, who was a delégate from that country, was 

 asked by one of the justices of the Supreme Court of the United 

 States what language his people used. And equally surpiising 

 inquiries were made of other delegates. Dr. Silva of Colombia was 

 asked how manj»^ slaves were still in servitude in his country, and 

 Dr. Nin of Uruguay, a most accomplishpd gentleman aud learned 

 diplomatist, burst intothe rooms of one of his colleagues one morn- 

 ing and cxclaimed: 



«I have just been asked if the people of my country are white 

 or colored.» 



This amazing ignorance as exhibited by the people of the United 

 States concerning their neighbors on this heinisphere was the reason 

 for the foundation of the bureau of American republics and while 



it still to a lamentable extent, the publications of the burean 



have relieved the situation considerably. 



{The Washington Star, Washington March 12 1906.) 



